Design Thinking is a problem-solving framework and mode of thinking based on processes that are typically found in creative design industries. Taking these approaches in different contexts, such as the board meetings of Higher Education committees allows for creative, efficient and impactful decision-making. Through our experience in applying design thinking methods and frameworks we have compiled a collection of activities that can be applied individually or in sequence by Higher Education committees (academic or administrative) to get inspired, sort through ideas or decide!
The toolkit allows effective collaboration involving individual and group activities that range from brainstorming to categorising and voting on key decisions, limiting disagreements by enhancing democratic dialogue processes.
The toolkit ensures equal participation to all voices and considers the complex social dynamics that are in place in most decision-making group placing the key aims, questions and goals above personal interests.
A good committee is a committee that builds on dialogue and communication. The methods in the toolkit encourage meaningful and effective dialogue in order to improve the effectiveness and impact of the committee’s actions.